Initiative Priorities
The Design Innovation Initiative is focusing on the following key priorities to continue to provide an environment for our students to become innovators, activators, and cultivators who evolve strong, collaborative design innovation mindsets:
- Challenge-Based Innovation Programs
- What It Supports: Funds student participation in dynamic, hands-on experiences focused on creative problem-solving and real-world challenges. This could include courses, design challenges, workshops, hackathons, or other events which serve to hone students’ creative and critical thinking skills. Funds may be used to support student travel, materials, machine use and other needs in pursuit of their challenge objectives.
- Impact: Donations support student involvement on interdisciplinary teams to address real and impactful challenge-based innovation projects. By funding these programs, you help students apply classroom learning to solve real-world problems, fostering teamwork, resilience, and innovative mindsets.
- Your Benefit: Gain access to event results, position your brand as an innovation leader, enjoy recognition on promotional materials and event signage, and gain fresh perspectives on challenges facing your industry.
- Bring Your Challenges to DI
- What It Supports: Brings real-world challenges facing your industry directly to DI students, inviting them to ideate and develop potential solutions in a structured, collaborative workshop or course setting.
- Impact: Your industry challenge gives students an authentic glimpse into problem-solving within your sector while generating fresh ideas and perspectives.
- Your Benefit: Access innovative solutions, potential recruitment prospects, and the chance to work alongside students passionate about your field.
- Funding Student Innovation Awards or Scholarships
- What It Supports: Establish awards or scholarships for students who demonstrate exceptional skill, innovation, or impact in their work.
- Impact: These awards recognize and motivate students, helping them further pursue innovative projects and opportunities.
- Your Benefit: Be acknowledged as a champion of education and innovation, with your contribution fostering the growth of promising talent in your field.